Fetcham is the village sitting between
Leatherhead and
Great Bookham. Suburban development has more or less linked the three in a residential blanket, but don't expect to find a bland sea of 1930's semis here. Cradled by the Guildford Road to the south, Fetcham comprises leafy avenues of smart homes for affluent commuters and families.
With house prices standing at almost double the national average, and crime rates at about half, wealthy parents form the greater part of the purchasing queue. The vast majority of housing caters to families, and new developments target or carve out cul-de-sacs and quiet roads that offer kiddies the chance to play without running the gauntlet of fast passing bull bars.
Along Cobham Road and The Street, you'll find some Edwardian conversions along with older style suburban family houses. Prices start at around £200,000 for 3 bed properties. Moving west below the railway line, the semis around Hilley Field Lane are mainly 50's build and share a small recreation park. Cross Kennel Lane and prices rise along with property diversification. Detached bungalows fetch around £300,000 here, whilst Berkeley have put up some luxury homes along The Glade which won't give you much change from half a million.
South towards the Bookham border lies the Eastwick area. Like the rest of Fetcham this is family territory, with the proximity of the Eastwick Schools making houses here all the more sought after. A small cluster of cul de sacs off Barrett Road offer yet more impressive detached residences for between £350-500,000.
In the centre of the village the Fetcham Park area puts up some attractive Georgian styled family mansions with good grounds in the green surrounds of the village's Manor House. This trend of exclusivity is continued with the 70's and 80's properties in the Sycamore and Arbour Closes, which run across The Mount. Prices are uniformly high for the better houses here, at around half a million.
Fetcham has good facilities for a small village, especially considering the close proximity of Leatherhead. Shops along Cobham Road and Cannon Grove will provide more than the day to day basics, with everything from pet shops to antique dealers. The Street is the place to head for a nibble, with a good selection of take away options, whilst The Bell pub is a lovely spot for a beer at the heart of the village.
There are excellent sports amenities, with Leatherhead Leisure Centre falling within the boundaries of Fetcham. There's also a lawn tennis club and a well-supported football team. The Tanner's Bar at the football ground occasionally passes for nightlife in the village. Mile upon mile of beautiful greenbelt is within walking distance of the village, and the North Down's Way is routed not far south, along with Norbury Wood, Box Hill and the National Trust managed country house Polesden Lacey.
Schooling in this region is amongst the countries finest with excellent state and private options.
Leatherhead Station is right on the village's doorstep for speedy train connections to the City (about 45 minutes), whilst junction 9 of the M25 is to hand for access to the airports. The A24 runs by for routes south.
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